Signaling device



Nov. 23 1926. 1,607,793

.I. c. LAYTON SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Dec. 22, 1923 Inventor; Jahn C. Layton,

per (r Attorney.

Patented Nov. 23, 1926.

PrtTNT i) raise.

JOHN C. LAYTQN, 015 LOS ANGELES', CALIFORNIA.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

Application filed December 22, 1823. Serial No. 882,383.

In this specification, and the accompanying drawing, I shall describe and show a preferred form of my invention, and specifically mention certain of its more important objects. I do not limit myself 'to the forms disclosed, since various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the essence of my invention as hereinafter claimed; and objects and advantages, other than those specifically mentioned, are included within its scope.

My invention relates to automobile signaling devices attachable to the wrist of the operator and has for its principal objects,

' first, to make manual signaling clearly visible at night from both front and rear; second, to provide a device of this kind that functions automatically when the hand is extended for signaling purposes; and, third, to accomplish the above without interfering in the slightest manner with the customary motions of the operators hand and arm.

It is well known that in many localities trailic custom requires that the driver of a vehicle shall extend his hand straight out before turning to the left, out and up before turning to the right, and out and down before he slows up or stops. At night it is often very diliicult or impossible to see these signals, particularly if the driver is wearing dark colored gloves.

My invention overcomes this difliculty by providing a pair of automatically operated signal lights attachable to the wrist of the driver and visible from both front and rear when his hand is extended for signaling purposes.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is an elevational view showing one side of a hand and wrist in signaling position, with my device attached thereto. Figure 2 is a plan View of the device by itself, with certain portions broken away to show the interior construction. Similar reference numorals refer to similar parts throughout both views.

The device as illustrated comprises a leather strap 3, adapted to buckle around the wrist of the driver, having mounted thereon a pair of metal cases 4 and 5 spaced in such a manner that one will come on each side of the wrist when in use. Each of these cases contains an electric lamp bulb 6; It is convenient to arrange for grounding one terminal of the lamp filaments to their respective cases through their lamp sockets 7 minal19 grounded to case 5.

The other terminals of the filaments are connected to insulated binding posts 8. One of the cases contains a simple. form of spring switch 9, insulated from the case but adapt-- ed to contact therewith through contact point 10 by means of an eyepin 11 passing freely through an insulating bushing 12. The lamps and switch are wholly enclosed within their respective cases by means of glasses or lenses 13, which may be colored if desired.

The device may be energized from the ignition battery 14. by a flexible cord connection 15. Branch 16 of this cord is electrically connected to eye-pin 11 by soldering at 17. The other branch 18 leads to ter- A flexible wire 20 connects the two insulated binding posts 8.

The lamp circuit is closed by pulling eyepin 11 outward, the connection from the battery being through wire 16, pin 11, switch 9, contact point 10, case l, socket 7, lamp 6, binding post 8, wire 20, through the lamp in case 5 in a similar manner to terminal 19, and back through branch 18 to the battery. It will be observed that the two lamps are in series and this permits the use of low voltage lamps with relatively strong filaments..

The operation of the switch is accomplished by mechanically attaching branch 16 of the cord to eye-pin 11, with a helical spring 21 paralleling a loop 22 of this branch in the manner illustrated. tion of the cord between the spring and battery is attached at some intermediate point to the vehicle or person of the operator in such a way that when the signaling arm is extended, the cord will be in tension and exert a pull on eye-pin 11. The introduction of spring 21 is for the purpose of allowing latitude in the extension of the signaling arm while maintaining a substantially uniform pull upon the eye-pin. Loop 22 and slack 23 on the opposed branch of the circuit permit of extending the spring.

It is to be noted that by making obvious minor changes, the automatic switch 9 may be dispensed with if considered desirable. In this case the lamps may be operated either continuously, or by means of a switch controlled otherwise than as described.

It will also be noted that a single lamp, instead of two, may be used if preferred.

Again the front lamp may be dispensed The porwith and a radium coated disc may be employed in place thereof if desired, still retaining the electric lamp on the back of the Wrist since it is more desirable to have the stronger light upon the back of the Wrist when signaling operators of vehicles in the rear.

My device Will plainly indicate at night the exact position of the drivers signaling arm, but he Will be entirely free to use this arm in any customary manner.

I claim as my invention:

An electric hand signaling device co1nprising; a lamp housing containing a lamp and socket and having a Window therein; means for supporting the housing on the Wrist; said device also including switching means iDCllllCllDg a movable contact member normally out of engagement with a fixed conducting Wire.

JOHN C. LAYTON. 

